Checkrein-controller.



J. F. SHAFFER.

CHECKREIN CONTROLLER. APPLICATION FILED ocr. 18-, 1915.

1,190,599. I Patented Ju1y1L-l916.

orincKREIn-oournoLLEit.

Application filed October 18, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. SHAFFER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Morgantown, in the county of Monongalia and State of lWest Virginia, have invented a new and useful Checkrein-Controller, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for controlling a check rein on a harness, to the end that a horse may be checked up and unchecked without rendering it necessary for the driver to alight from the vehicle.

One object of the invention is to provide novel means for controlling the keeper whereby is held the flexible element which in turn is adapted to be assembled with a check rein.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for limiting the movement of the keeper.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 is a perspective view wherein the device forming the subject matter of this application has been shown applied; Fig. 2 is a cross section of the saddle supported bracket and parts coacting therewith; Fig. 3 is a section of the structure shown in Fig. 2, the

cutting plane in Fig. 3 being at rightangles to the cutting plane in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 showing the keeper in holding position; Fig. 1

is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the keeper elevated; Fig. 5 is a rear elevation showing a portion of a harness whereunto the device forming the subject matter of this application has been applied.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings there is shown a harness embodying a saddle 1 and a check rein 2 of any desired form. The back strap of the harness is shown at 3 and the side straps appear at 4, the latter supporting the breeching 5..

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 11, 1916.

Serial No. 56,566.

Secured to the top of the saddle 1 is a bracket 6 preferably made of metal and embodying a base 7, side arms 8 and top flanges 9. The bracket 6, however, may be of any desired form. Fixed to and upstanding from the base 7 of the bracket 6 is a rearwardly inclined finger 10. Extended between the side arms 8 is a shaft 11 engaged by an eye 12 on the upper end of a keeper plate 14 provided at its lower end with a rectangularly disposed foot 15. Mounted on the back strap 3 at any point intermediate its ends but preferably disposed adjacent the side straps 4 is a securing member of any appropriate sort which may be an eye 16 engaged with a swivel 17 secured to the upper end of a flexible element 18, to the lower end of which is secured a swivel 19 assembled with a ring 20. The invention contemplates the use of a flexible element 21 threaded through the ring or eye 20 at the lower end of the flexible element 18, the flexible element 21 being passed beneath the foot 15 of the keeper plate 14, between the side arms 8 of the bracket 6. At its forward end, the flexible element 21 is equipped with a snap 22 or the like, adapted to engage the check rein 2. In the flexible element 21 is fashioned an opening 23 adapted to be engaged by the finger 10. Any desired number of openings 23 may be formed in the flexible element 21.

hen the animal is checked up, one of the openings 23 in the flexible element 21 is engaged with the finger 10 as shown in Fig. 3, the keeper plate 14 abutting against the rear end of the finger 10, and the foot 15 of the keeper plate being pressed down onto the flexible element 21. When it is desired to uncheck the animal, the flexible element 21 is lowered so that it lies approximately parallel with the foot 15, whereupon the flexible element 21 is pulled upon, the flexible element 21, of course, being of any desired length, so that it may extend to the drivers seat. By lowering the flexible element, or by raising it slightly above the position shown in Fig. 1, so that the flexible element lies in horizontal alinement with the foot 15, a direct, straight line pull is exercised on the keeper 14-, so that the latter swings rearwardly, out of engagement with the finger 10. By the same operation, the flexible element 21 rides off the finger 10. The flexible element 21 now is raised, carrying with it the flexible element 18, until the latter stands in an approximately vertical position above the back of the animal. The flexible element 21 then is slacked away, and the check rein 2 is paid out to the desired extent. Because the flexible element 21 slides through the ring 20 on the end of the flexible element 18, and because the flexible element 18 is vertically disposed, the flexible element 21 will pass readily through the bracket 6.

When it is desired to check up the animal, the parts being in the positions shown in Fig. 4, the flexible element 21 is lowered and slacked away, and is permitted to slide along the upper end of the finger 10 until one of the openings 23 is engaged by the finger, the keeper plate 1 returning to the position shown in Fig. 3 and coming into abutment with the finger 10. Because the finger 10 slants, the flexible element 21 moves forwardly to a slight extent as it moves downwardly from the tip of the finger to the base thereof. This forward movement of the flexible element 21 carries the lower end of the keeper 14E forwardly and causes it to seat against the finger as shown in Fig. 8. The word strap used in claiming the part 21 does not imply that this element must be made of leather.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, a harness including a saddle; a bracket on the saddle; a keeper pivoted to the bracket;

a finger carried by the bracket; a check rein strap slidable through the bracket and engageable by the keeper, the strap having an opening adapted to receive the finger; and a flexible element assembled at one end with the harness to the rear of the saddle, the flexible element being provided at its other end with an eye through which the strap slides.

2. In a device of the class described, a harness including a saddle; a bracket on the saddle; a finger upstanding from the bracket; a keeper pivoted to the bracket and abutting against the finger; a check rein strap engaged by the keeper and having an opening receiving the finger; a flexible element connected at one end with the harness to the rear of the saddle; and an eye on the flexible element, the strap passing through the eye.

3. As anarticle of manufacture, a check rein controller embodying a bracket including a base and side arms; a rearwardly inclined finger upstanding from the base; and a keeper pivoted to one of the side arms and adapted to coact with the base, the finger constituting an abutment for the keeper.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. SHAFFER.

Witnesses:

M. F. PYLEs, BERTI-IA L. PIXLER.

" Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, .D. G. 

